Santorini: Three Wineries and One Brewery Tour with Tastings

Santorini’s wine country is built on volcanic soil, fierce sun, and vines trained into low, basket-shaped coils to survive the wind. This tour lets you taste that island character in a single afternoon, starting with beer at Santorini Brewing Company and moving through three very different wineries. I especially like the mix of 12 wines and 3 local beers, plus the chance to compare small, historic operations with modern cellars.

I also like the comfortable pickup and drop-off service, which means nobody has to drive after a generous tasting session. Guides such as Billy, John, Panos, and Yiannis are often as important as the drinks, adding island history, restaurant tips, photographs, and plenty of good humor. The main drawback is the price: at $200 per person, this is not a casual tasting stop, and the final winery can change with availability.

Key points at a glance

• Three wineries, one brewery: Start with local beer, then visit Art Space, Estate Argyros, and a final winery that may vary.
• Santorini grape varieties: Learn why the island’s volcanic soil and dry climate shape its distinctive wines.
• Twelve wines and three beers: Tastings are paired with cheese, bread, vegetables, dips, and other Greek bites.
• Guides make the difference: Billy, John, Panos, and Yiannis are praised for island knowledge, patience, humor, and personal service.
• Easy transportation: Pickup and drop-off are available from 16 Santorini locations in a clean, comfortable van.
• A full half-day: The tour lasts 4.5 hours, with tasting sessions of about 20 minutes at the brewery and up to 75 minutes at major winery stops.

Why Santorini wine tastes different

Santorini is not a standard wine region with broad green vineyards and tall rows of vines. The island’s dry, windy conditions have shaped a special way of growing grapes. Vines are trained close to the ground in round baskets, which protect the fruit from wind and help retain moisture.

The volcanic soil is another key part of the story. It gives the island excellent drainage while contributing to the mineral character associated with local wines. The main local grape species discussed on this tour is Assyrtiko, though you will taste a range of wines rather than one repeated style.

For me, that is the value of visiting wineries in person. A tasting menu alone can tell you what is in the glass, but the cellar visits show why Santorini wine developed as it did. You get the farming methods, the local conditions, and the production choices together.

The guides and winery staff explain this in plain terms. At Estate Argyros, for example, traditional practices remain part of the working system. Mules are used to plow fields, and grape byproducts return to the soil. That gives you something concrete to look for beyond tasting notes.

Pickup from 16 Santorini locations

The tour includes pickup and drop-off from a wide spread of locations, including Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Pyrgos Kallistis, Megalochori, Akrotiri, Perissa, Kamari, Emporio, Karterádos, and several smaller areas.

That matters on Santorini. The island’s roads can be busy, parking is not always simple, and winery locations are spread out. After tasting wine and beer, having a driver is far more sensible than trying to organize your own route.

Transport is usually a comfortable minibus or van. Several guests specifically appreciated the clean Mercedes Sprinter, leather seats, air conditioning, bottled water, and roomy feel. The tour has earned a 95 percent perfect score for transport, and the drivers often add value by taking photographs or suggesting places to eat.

Pickup times vary, so check the available start time for your location. The total outing lasts about 4.5 hours, making it a manageable choice for an afternoon or an early evening plan.

First stop: Santorini Brewing Company

The tour opens with about 20 minutes at Santorini Brewing Company. This is a smart choice for mixed groups because not everyone is a serious wine drinker. Beer fans get something made on the island, while wine enthusiasts get a relaxed introduction before the longer cellar visits.

You are scheduled to taste three local beers. The brewery is associated with the Crazy Donkey beers, and the stop gives you a look at a newer side of Santorini’s drink culture. The tasting is informal compared with the winery sessions, and the owners are described as friendly and willing to chat.

One practical note: the advertised program includes three beers, but one small-group experience received only two. That appears to have been balanced with an extra stop elsewhere, but you should treat the three-beer tasting as the planned offering rather than a guarantee of every specific pour.

The brewery also sells merchandise, which can be useful if you want a take-home reminder that is easier to pack than a bottle. Beer drinkers may find this stop a highlight, while wine-focused visitors will appreciate that it keeps the afternoon from becoming four versions of the same tasting room.

Art Space Winery in Exo Gonia

A short drive brings you to Art Space Winery in Exo Gonia, where the tasting and visit take about an hour. This is one of the more distinctive stops because the winery occupies underground spaces and includes an art gallery.

The old cellar rooms give the visit a strong sense of place. You are not simply sitting at a polished counter with a row of glasses. You can see the relationship between the winery’s past, local art, and Santorini’s traditional production methods.

Art Space is often presented as one of Greece’s best wineries, but its appeal is not only the wine. The setting feels personal and rooted in the village. A guide named Panos has been praised for making the visit lively, while Esmeralda has been singled out for explaining the history and artwork with warmth.

The tasting is paired with local snacks such as cheese and dry bread. Those small bites matter, especially early in the tour, since they give you something to eat while you sample several wines. Expect the first stop to feel more intimate and historic than the modern estates later in the day.

Estate Argyros and the working vineyard

Estate Argyros follows after a brief five-minute drive. Allow about 75 minutes here. The winery has a more modern look, but its production remains tied to older local practices.

This contrast is one of the strongest parts of the route. Art Space shows you an older cellar and an artistic setting. Estate Argyros gives you a more polished winery experience while still explaining how Santorini’s vineyards operate.

The estate’s methods help make the island’s farming less abstract. You learn about using mules to plow the fields and returning grape byproducts to enrich the soil. These details show how production can combine modern presentation with long-used agricultural habits.

The tasting selection lets you compare several expressions of Santorini wine. You may notice sharp acidity, mineral notes, and dry finishes, though the exact wines can vary. The food pairings can include cheese, bread, meats, vegetables, and dips, depending on the stop and selection available.

This is also the point where the quantity of alcohol begins to matter. You may already have tasted three beers and several wines before arriving here. Eat the snacks, drink water, and take your time. The tour is designed for tasting, not hurriedly swallowing every glass.

The final winery and changing availability

The last major tasting usually takes about 75 minutes and is listed at Anhydrous Cellar Door. Depending on availability, the final stop may instead be Hatzidakis Winery, Venetsanos Winery, or Artemis Karamolegos Winery.

That change is worth understanding before you book. The experience is built around visiting three wineries, but you should not assume that every departure will follow the exact same final stop. Each winery offers a different setting and selection, which is part of the appeal, but it also means the final character of the tour can vary.

Anhydrous is described as modern yet comfortable, with a relaxed atmosphere that suits the final stop. Other possible wineries may shift the balance toward views, traditional production, or a different tasting style. Your guide can explain what makes the chosen cellar distinct.

The last tasting is a good time to compare your favorites. You will have seen a historic underground space, a modern estate, and another winery with its own approach. The experience works best when you focus on those differences rather than trying to identify a single best bottle.

Food pairings keep the tasting grounded

Cheese pairing is included, and the food can extend to dry breads, vegetables, dips, and other local snacks. The portions are described as light, so this is not a substitute for lunch or dinner.

Still, the pairings are important. Salty cheese can soften a wine’s acidity, while bread gives your palate a break. Dips and vegetables add variety and make the stops feel more like a Greek food experience than a series of alcohol samples.

I would plan a proper meal before or after the tour rather than relying on the snacks. The timing may work well before dinner, but you should not book this as your only food plan for the day.

The guides are a major part of the value

The driver and guide often shape the day as much as the wineries. Billy is repeatedly praised for his passion for wine, island history, patience, and humor. John, also called Giannis in some experiences, is noted for a friendly manner, strong local insight, air-conditioned transport, photographs, and restaurant suggestions.

Panos is described as charming, funny, and good at keeping the group relaxed. Yiannis has helped groups rearrange plans so friends could stay together and has been praised for taking photos and waiting patiently at the wineries.

These personal touches matter because the scheduled winery sessions are long enough to feel rushed if poorly handled. A good guide gives you time to ask questions, explains what you are tasting, and keeps the vehicle transfers organized.

The tour is offered for private groups and small groups. Sometimes a low booking count turns the outing into a private experience, but you should not book expecting that result. Group size can change the feel of the afternoon, from a quiet personal outing to a more social tasting with new companions.

What $200 per person gets you

At $200 per person, the tour is expensive compared with buying a few glasses at one winery. The price makes more sense when you count the transportation, four drink stops, 12 wine samples, three planned beers, cheese pairings, winery visits, and a guide for 4.5 hours.

You are also paying to avoid driving and route planning. Santorini’s wineries are not all within easy walking distance of one another, and arranging taxis between several tastings could be inconvenient. The tour bundles the logistics into one afternoon.

The value is strongest for visitors who want to understand Santorini wine rather than simply drink it. It is less compelling if you are looking for a cheap night out, dislike organized schedules, or only want one particular winery.

A few practical details strengthen the value. Pickup and drop-off are included, cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour is conducted in English.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend it to wine drinkers who want context, couples looking for a structured half-day, and small groups with mixed beer and wine interests. It is also useful early in a Santorini stay because guides often share broader island tips and restaurant suggestions.

It suits visitors without a rental car especially well. Nobody in your group has to remain sober to drive, and you can focus on the tastings and scenery.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, or wheelchair users. Pets and smoking are not allowed. If you have mobility concerns, ask before booking rather than assuming the vans and cellar spaces will work for you.

A few tips for a better afternoon

• Eat beforehand: The included snacks are useful pairings, but they are light.
• Drink water: The tour includes many samples in a short period.
• Ask about the final winery: The last stop can change according to availability.
• Use the guide: Ask about grape varieties, island history, and restaurant ideas.
• Bring space for purchases: The brewery and wineries may have bottles or merchandise worth taking home.
• Plan your evening carefully: The tour ends after a substantial amount of tasting, so a quiet dinner is often more sensible than another packed activity.

Should you book the Santorini winery and brewery tour?

Book it if you want an efficient, well-supported introduction to Santorini’s wine culture, especially if you do not have a car. The mix of underground cellars, modern estates, local beer, Greek snacks, and island stories gives the afternoon more range than a single winery visit.

I would think twice if $200 feels high for a tasting or if you need a fixed list of exact wineries. The final stop can change, and the three-beer offering is the planned format, not an absolute promise based on every departure.

For most wine-curious visitors, the combination of transport, expert staff at each cellar, and personable guides makes the cost reasonable. Choose a private or small-group option if you care about a slower pace and more questions. If you simply want the cheapest way to try Santorini wine, book one winery on its own instead.

FAQ

How long does the Santorini winery and brewery tour last?

The tour lasts 4.5 hours, including transportation between the brewery and three wineries.

How many drinks are included?

The planned tasting includes 12 different wines and three local beers.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins with pickup from one of 16 Santorini locations, including Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Pyrgos Kallistis, Megalochori, Akrotiri, Perissa, and Kamari.

Which wineries are included?

The route includes Art Space Winery and Estate Argyros. The final winery may be Anhydrous Winery, Hatzidakis Winery, Venetsanos Winery, or Artemis Karamolegos Winery, depending on availability.

Is food included?

Yes. Cheese pairing is included, along with local snacks such as dry bread and other Greek delicacies.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, with return service to the available drop-off locations.

Is the tour offered privately?

Yes. Private and small-group options are available.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.